Montréal Music

Celebrating 75 years, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra (OSM) is one of Montreal’s great prides. Kent Nagano, world-renowned orchestra conductor and music director of the OSM, chose Montreal:

"It is with great pleasure and keen anticipation that I accept the invitation (...) to be the new Music Director of this highly respected Orchestra as of 2006 – and, at the same time, become part of the wonderful Montréal community which, for me, combines the best features of North American and European Cultures”.

Another of the city’s musical treasures is certainly the Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal. Leading the OM, none other than Yannick Nézet-Séguin, a young virtuoso whose talent is admired by all his peers.

Not only is Montreal known for its world-class symphony orchestra, but also its underground music scene. Music lovers of all kinds are spoiled with the sounds of jazzy or electronic notes and numerous concerts across the city.

They love the beating of the tam-tams and the dancing around a statue of an angel every summer Sunday at the foot of the “Mountain.” Or partying at a Piknic Électronik on an island in the middle of the St. Lawrence River. Or dancing to the spins of the hottest DJs till dawn and beyond. And they get a kick about how Montréalkicks back, like at funky cafés and art galleries on trendy Saint-Laurent, in funky Plateau Mont-Royal and Mile End, and in the voluptuous Village.

From a flung-open third-floor window flows the noodling of a tenor sax – maybe the player is practising for the Jazz Festival. Or through the walls of an old factory blasts a band, practicing for that indie recording they’re cutting. Through a studio window at dusk, dancers move fluidly, pane to pane. Perhaps they’re members of La La La Human Steps rehearsing for a tour.